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Reviewed by Cecelia Hopkins for Readers' Favorite
Victorian by Jordan Elizabeth follows the summer adventures of Weronika Rivers and Aeltye “Celeste” who meet through the Counseling Circle. Donna suggests working at the 1867 Fair on weekends and it sounds like fun because of the history and dressing up. Volunteering will also give Celeste a break from babysitting her brother Eli, who suffers from selective mutism. Working at Reese Village will give Weronika a release from the strained atmosphere at home. Weronika sees ghosts and the historic site is populated with people from the past. A ghost called Scott provides a clue to the tragic deaths of the villagers. Weronika and Celeste must both admit their deepest secrets to move forward.
Victorian by Jordan Elizabeth is a contemporary young adult ghost story with an appealing historical element. I enjoyed the way the narrative peeled away mysteries from underneath the layers of teenage emotion. I liked the character of Celeste and was pleased when she came out of her shell. I also found Celeste's and Eli’s backstory dramatic and felt she had been incredibly brave. I sympathized with Weronika but was not sure whether I was meant to like the edgy, almost Gothic character. Her backstory made me uncomfortable, and I grabbed at the ambiguity offered by the conclusion of the formal inquiry. The author did a fantastic job of plotting and intertwining the narrative threads of the two girls, the progression of their summer jobs, and the fate of the village. The book was moody and brooding, creating the perfect boiling pot for paranormal adventure.
